We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 5 May 2016 to ask the practice the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

Our findings were:

Are services safe?

We found that this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services effective?

We found that this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services caring?

We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services responsive?

We found that this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Background

The practice offers both NHS and private primary care dentistry to both adult patients and children.

The practice is open Monday to Friday from 08.40 to 5.00pm, with late appointments until 7.00pm on a Tuesday and the practice opens one Saturday per month. The reception remains open during lunchtimes.

There are four dentists, six qualified dental nurses, three dental hygienist, one dental therapist, three trainee dental nurses, a receptionist and a practice manager.

Dental Foundation Training (DFT) introduces new graduates to general practice. It provides a protected environment to work in for a year whilst they undertake training to prepare for working in the NHS.

The principal dentist is the registered provider and manager for the practice. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.

On the day of inspection we received 32 CQC comment cards providing feedback. The patients who provided feedback were very positive about the care and attention to treatment they received at the practice. They told us they were involved in all aspects of their care and found the staff to be kind, polite and considerate. Patients commented they could access emergency care easily and they were treated with dignity and respect in a clean and tidy environment.

Our key findings were:

• There was appropriate equipment for staff to undertake their duties, and equipment was well maintained.
• There was an effective complaints system.
• Staff had received safeguarding training, knew how to recognise signs of abuse and how to report it.
• There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
• Staff had been trained to manage medical emergencies.
• Infection control procedures were in accordance with the published guidelines.
• Patient care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with evidence based guidelines and current regulations.
• Patients received clear explanations about their proposed treatment, costs, benefits and risks and were involved in making decisions about it.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
• Patients could access routine treatment and urgent care when required.
• The practice was well-led, staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The governance systems were effective.

We were able to speak with people who used the service on the day we visited and the practice undertook patient satisfaction surveys on a regular basis. All the people that spoke to us were very complimentary about the service and treatment they received.

Comments included,

"I have been coming here for many years and everything is always absolutely fine".

"The staff are always very pleasant and approachable".

"I am always put at my ease".

"I have no complaints at all about anything".

"My husband and I are very happy with the service”.

"The girls are all very nice and I would speak to any of them if there was anything I was worried about".

"My dentist is really good and listens to what I say".

"The surgery, the reception area and the waiting room are always very clean".